Art

Art topics throughout the school are widely based on the national curriculum format, taking into consideration the aims and objectives, but each project has been specially designed by working artists to inspire and excite the children. From an early age individuality is encouraged, as is discussion which plays a large part in helping the children to develop their own theories, ideas and encourages respect and understanding for the work and views of others.

All completed work is displayed, developing confidence and encouraging self belief in the pupils’ creative abilities. These displays also help to promote an awareness of art throughout the school and help to instil a love of the subject and creativity as a whole. Group projects are used to enable less able students to feel part of a successful piece of work and also help to encourage discussion and problem solving as a team.

 Processes include:

• Painting – watercolour, acrylic, poster paint
• Drawing – charcoal, pencil, chalk, ink, oil pastel, wax crayon
• Collage – paper, card, cloth, string, wool, raffia, found objects
• Clay – modelling, pots, figures, tiles
• Sculpture – clay, wire, card, wood, paper mache
• Printing – etching, mono prints, sponge, string
• Batik - drawing with wax
• Sewing – tapestry, embroidery, soft toys, puppets, rag rugs
• Mosaics – large scale pictures, pots, tiles
• Paper crafts – sculpture, weaving
• Graphic design – product design, logo design, posters, typography

'Art week’ takes place in the summer term, which sees local artists, musicians and dancers being invited to the school to give a series of workshops to the children. This culminates in the “Daneshill Showcase” involving an afternoon of entertainment and the annual Daneshill pupils’ art exhibition.

The art department further encourages the children’s interest through regular day and residential field trips, summer school workshops, and after school clubs. Recent trips have seen Daneshill pupils visit the Tate Modern, The Royal Academy, The Eden Project and Saville Gardens to name a few.

Daneshill has established good relations with various art establishments locally, namely Fairfields Art Centre, where life drawing classes are organised for the upper years and travelling exhibitions are used to back up the children’s learning. Bi yearly the children are also taken to the Hackwood Art Exhibition, where they view the work of local artists and take place in artist led workshops.

We genuinely feel throughout the art department that we not only equip each pupil with the skills to express themselves creatively but we also foster a love for the subject and an appreciation of the vital role it plays in society as a whole.